Definitely worth visiting when in Varadero!
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 9/10/07
I just returned to Canada after a week in Varadero, Cuba. I was there with a few family members and friends to attend my sister's wedding, so our main focus was not sight-seeing and exploring Cuba. We, did, however, go to the dolphinarium one morning since my sister had promised her young daughter that we would.
It was an unforgettable experience for me, and definitely one of the highlights of our trip (wedding notwithstanding)! The show itself wasn't spectacular but, as we came to find out when enquiring about the dolphins post-show with the trainers, two of the dolphins were rather out of sorts and less cooperative than usual, one having recently given birth and another being far along in her pregnancy. The trainers were extremely gracious about answering our many questions about the dolphins and the dolphinarium.
I was completely caught by surprise when one of the trainers, sensing my keen interest, offered to take me over to the dolphins to get a kiss from them. It was an incredible experience to be so close to these intelligent, sensitive creatures and to have a chance to touch them and see them firsthand!! It has been days since our visit to the dolphinarium and we are all still talking about it! Those who dislike the idea of animals being kept in captivity to entertain and amuse us humans will be somewhat mollified to hear that the dolphinarium in Varadero is a large outdoor enclosure, very close to the sea, surrounded by lots of natural vegetation. I would certainly recommend a visit to the dolphinarium while in the Varadero area!